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Does Humira cause hair loss?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 26, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

It is unclear whether Humira (adalimumab) directly causes hair loss. Hair loss was not reported as a side effect in clinical trials, but some individuals have reported alopecia (hair loss) after using Humira post-approval. Because these reports are voluntary and come from an unspecified patient population, there is no conclusive evidence linking Humira to hair loss.

Can Humira Cause or Treat Hair Loss?

  • Potential Hair Loss Link: Some case reports in medical journals suggest a possible connection between Humira and hair loss. However, more research is needed to confirm a direct relationship.
  • Potential Hair Growth Benefits: Interestingly, other case reports indicate that Humira may help treat certain forms of alopecia. Researchers believe genetic factors and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels may influence whether Humira leads to hair loss or hair growth in different individuals.

Common Side Effects of Humira

The most common side effects of Humira include:

  • Upper respiratory/sinus infections
  • Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, burning, rash)
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Nausea

More research is needed to fully understand the link between Humira and hair loss, but current evidence remains inconclusive.

References
  1. U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Humira. December 2018. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/125057s410lbl.pdf [Accessed June 9, 2022]
  2. Abbvie. Humira: Important Safety Information. Available at: https://www.humira.com/#isi-anchor [Accessed June 9, 2022]
  3. Zschoche C, Bidier M, Hadaschik E. Alopecia areata during treatment with adalimumab: therapy with an alternative TNF-alpha inhibitor is possible. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013 May;11(5):450-3. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.12027
  4. Gorcey L, Spratt EAG, Leger MC. Alopecia Universalis Successfully Treated With Adalimumab. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(12):1341–1344. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.1544. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/1913664

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